Offers Over

£475,000 (Freehold)

The Decca, Self-Catering Cottages and Guest House, Lionel, Ness, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0XB

Former radio navigation station sympathetically

converted to a successful

home and business

Ideally located on the popular Isle of Lewis and

situated at the north end of the popular Hebridean Way

Property comprises, two, 3 bedroom self-catering

cottages and 5 en-suite bed and breakfast rooms providing

versatile trading options

Profitable business trading just under VAT

threshold generating adj. net profit of C£60,000

Attractive garden grounds provide ample amenity space plus development

potential subject to planning

consents

DESCRIPTION The Decca represents a most desirable business and

lifestyle opportunity set in an idyllic location on the north-

west corner of the Isle of Lewis. This property has a

charming and alluring trading outlook overlooking open

moorland with a nature reserve to the front aspects.

The 3 separate units were built in the early 1950s as a

navigational signalling station plus two cottages as

accommodation. The business has been developed and

modernised over many years to the current configuration.

The accommodation can be summarised as two similar

cottages on either side of the main building, each

providing three bedrooms (one en-suite), lounge, kitchen

and family bathroom. The main central property, offers 5

additional bed and breakfast rooms. The current owners

prefer to trade as a Guest House and utilise all of the

bedrooms on a B&B basis rather than as self-catering. The

subjects have spacious and attractive garden grounds

which could be used for a wide range of recreational and

business uses. There is a lovely area of decking to the rear

of the property which is greatly enjoyed by both the

owners and guests alike.

The business is presented to the market in walk-in

condition and is ready to operate with no requirement for

additional significant capital investment. The sale of The

Decca represents an exceptional opportunity for new

vendors to own a lovely property and operate a

charming 'quality of life' business in a beautiful island

location.

REASON FOR SELLING The vendors purchased the property in August 2011

and have invested greatly into improving the décor

and quality of provision. They have brought the

property onto the market to allow them to downsize

and take on a new challenge.

TRADE The present owners trade the business year-round with the

bulk of the income being generated during the main

season (Easter to October).

The current owners choose to provide bed and breakfast

with the option of evening meals to their clients, and do

not trade the cottages independently, preferring to use

all as B&B. New owners may wish to trade the cottages

as self-catering and they are set up to allow this by

blocking the access door from each cottage to the main

house.

Catering for groups, families and single travellers, the

business has a well-maintained website utilising ‘Free

to Book’ as their primary management system. The

current business model also offers an evening meal

option for guests and others who pre-book. A limited

choice menu of quality home-cooked food is offered

using local produce where possible.

The current owners also offer occasional music nights and

presentations during the summer months which are very

popular with locals as well as residents. The vendors trade

just below the VAT threshold generating a high level of

profitability.

New owners, if so desired, may drive the business more fully

and develop the operation further. There is an abundance

of space where a café could be provided; permissions are

in place should new owners wish to operate a café.

Likewise, there may be scope to obtain a liquor license

subject to consents etc. Where new owners do not wish to

cater for their guests in the evening, there is a local hotel

which could provide dinners etc.

LOCATION The Decca is situated in the village of Lionel in an area

of Lewis known as Ness which sits at the northern

extremity of the Western Isles. The property enjoys

panoramic views across wild moorland close to sandy

beaches and across from a nature reserve. Eoropie

beach with its dunes is within walking distance of the

Decca. The business is situated close to the village

school which has an array of facilities open to the local

population including a sports centre with gym, sauna,

games hall, ten pin bowling and swimming pool. Within

the area are a range of facilities including post office

and shops, a garage, a hotel and various community

clubs etc. Locally, there is the Eoropie Dunes Park which

is primarily a children’s play park but provides an

awareness of the environment. A larger range of

welfare and social amenities are available in the town

of Stornoway which is within easy commuter distance

some 27 miles away. The W1 bus route runs frequently

from Stornoway and stops outside The Decca.

The local area boasts a number of sandy beaches and

places of general interest. There are areas of rocky cliffs

and lochs and stunning sea views where visitors are

advised to keep their eyes open for dolphins. The island

has a long history, evidence of this is located close by in

the Temple of St Moluag (a 12th century chapel) and

Dun Easdean, the stronghold of the Morrison clan. The

area is popular with birdwatchers and walkers, as well as

a great number of cyclists undertaking the Hebridean

Way Cycling Route, which finishes at the Butt of Lewis.

Many people visit the area to research their ancestry,

due to the migration from the Western Isles in the 18th

and 19th century to the new worlds. The area

surrounding the Decca is one of the best locations on

Lewis to offer a reasonable prospect of seeing the

Aurora Borealis in the low seasons.

THE PROPERTY The property is easily accessed from a main road with

parking to the front and side. Built in the 1950’s, of

stone construction under pitched tiled roof, all 3 units

are 2 storey buildings. The subjects have a substantial

footprint with spacious lawns to the side and rear.

THE DECCA Entrance to the property is either via a double-glazed

door which leads into a spacious hallway or

alternatively a further entrance leads directly into an

‘L’ shaped lounge area. The entrance hallway

provides access to a fully accessible toilet with shower.

Through a door way is a small corridor which provides

access to a utility area with dry goods storage. This

room is fitted with washing machine, dryer and

dishwasher plus it also has a pully operated dryer. Also

off the corridor is a double en-suite letting bedroom

with a large walk-in shower. Returning to the corridor

there is a door that gives access to the large kitchen.

Through the entrance hallway is the bright ‘L’ shaped

lounge which is set to soft furnishings and is used by

resident guests and diners. This well-presented area

has a lovely ambience and is set to 5 double / triple

sofas plus there is ample space to have an area with

book cases etc.

A doorway from the lounge leads in to the stunning

dining/breakfast room which enjoys 6 windows allowing

great natural lighting. This beautiful room has a recessed

feature fire place with a large wood-burning stove and a

wooden lintel above. The room has wood flooring and

attractive fixtures and fittings making it a most warm and

cosy dining area. The kitchen is situated off the dining room

in a semi open-plan format. The spacious kitchen is well-

appointed with a good range of floor mounted units and

ample work tops, offering owners the capacity to cook a

good range of menu items in comfort.

In addition to the ground floor en-suite bedroom, there are

a further 4 bedrooms on the first floor; 2 of which are en-

suite (king-size and a twin) and the other two (family

(double and single bed) and a twin) which share a

bathroom. Off the standard twin room is a large storage

general area and throughout the property there is ample

storage.

THE COTTAGES The two cottages are near mirror images of each other

in terms of general floor space. One of the cottages is

used as letting accommodation and the other is utilised

by the owners for their private use.

Letting Cottage (Fianais) Entry to Fianais is through a double-glazed door which

leads in to a hallway with a utility room off to the left.

Through a further door the inner hallway provides

access to all other ground floor rooms which include

a modern fully fitted dining/kitchen. There is also family

bathroom which has a large shower and white units.

The living room is currently being used as a bedroom,

resulting in both a king-size bedroom and a twin

bedroom being set to the ground floor. Stairs lead to

the first floor where there is a further king-size bedroom

with an en-suite shower room and a twin bedroom.

Owner’s Accommodation (Muirneag) Access to Muirneag is via a double-glazed front door

leading in to a hallway and thereafter through a second

door into an inner hallway. From this area all other ground

floor rooms are accessed and stairs to the first floor can be

located. The cottage benefits from a comfortable sitting

room with open fireplace and a fitted dining/kitchen which

is well-appointed with appliances plus floor and wall-

mounted units. Off the hallway is a family bathroom fitted

with a bath with shower over, plus white units.

On the ground floor there is a double en-suite bedroom

with shower room. Stairs lead to the first floor where there

is a king-size bedroom and a family bedroom configured to

double and a single bed.

GROUNDS The external aspects include extensive garden

grounds to the rear and both sides of the property,

mainly laid to lawn, offering ample parking and

recreational space both for guests and owners. Areas

to the front of the property is also used for parking.

There is a walled garden with a polytunnel along with

a separate vegetable growing patch. There is a

garage to the side of the building and a walled bin

storage area. There is a storage area for each of the

cottages which is set within the building but accessed

externally.

SERVICES The subjects benefit from mains electricity, water and drainage. The property has 16 solar panels generating electricity and each house benefits from independent oil-fired boilers providing hot water and central heating. LPG gas is used for cooking in the Decca. All accommodation units are mainly double glazed. All areas have access to Wi-Fi.

TRADE The business trades just below the VAT threshold generating a high level of profitably. The business could be operated more fully by new owners should they so wish. Full trading figures will be presented post viewing.

Fianais Kitchen

Muirneag Bedroom Fianais Twin Bedroom

Muirneag Shower Room

Muirneag Kitchen

Muirneag Living Room

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database 2017

WEBSITE www.thedecca.co.uk

PRICE Offers over £475,000 are invited for the heritable property complete with goodwill and trade contents (according to inventory).

EPC RATING The EPC ratings for the property are tbc.

RATEABLE VALUE The business elements have rateable value of

£3,000 (effective from 01 Apr 2017) but is liable

for 100% discount under the Small Business Bonus

Scheme for eligible applicants.

FINANCE & LEGAL SERVICES ASG Commercial is in touch with several lenders who provide specialist finance to the hospitality trade. Paul Hart (Director Commercial Sales) will be delighted to discuss your financing requirements with you and make an appropriate introduction. We have access to a large team of legal experts who can act in all legal matters arising.

DIRECTIONS See map insert.

VIEWING All appointments to view must be made through the vendors selling agents:

ASG Commercial Ltd

17 Kenneth Street, Inverness, IV3 5NR

Tel: 01463 714757

Mob: 07799 896931 (Paul Hart)

Mob: 07557 785879 (Jackie MacGregor)

E: info@asgcommercial.co.uk

Web: www.asgcommercial.co.uk

OFFERS All offers should be submitted in writing to ASG Commercial Ltd with whom purchasers should register their interest if they wish to be advised of a closing date if one is set.

HOTELS

LICENSED

RETAIL

OFFICES

INDUSTRIAL

UNITS

17 Kenneth Street Inverness IV3 5NR

01463 714757